Rockets fining White each day he stays away

The conflict between the Rockets and rookie Royce White is escalating, with no end in sight.

While blaming the Rockets for failing to consistently support his treatment for anxiety issues, White is being fined every day he remains away from the team or chooses not to attend sessions with a therapist the club has arranged for him, a person with knowledge of the situation said.

White, however, spent much of Wednesday lashing out on Twitter and indicated he is staying away because the Rockets’ “inconsistent” support, as he has called it, could be a threat to his mental health.

“My #anxiety is fine, besides being disappointed in the communication, and worried about consistency and the effect that has on my health,” White said via Twitter.

He later angrily indicated his issue is with the Rockets’ wanting him to see the doctor they selected for him.

Playing-time complaint
White began to express his dissatisfaction a week ago, according to the person familiar with talks, initially complaining about a lack of opportunity to earn playing time. He met extensively with general manager Daryl Morey, assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and assistant strength and conditioning coach Dave Macha on Nov. 7 and again with Morey on Nov. 8.

White has not played this season and has been on the inactive list for the last five games. Morey told him in those meetings that other players had earned playing time before him. White, however, argued he was not given enough opportunity to demonstrate he could earn a place in the rotation, contending the Rockets were holding his anxiety disorder against him and that he was being treated as a commodity, a position he has repeated in tweets following Tuesday’s reports about his missing practices.

White attended Friday’s morning shootaround and game in Memphis, traveling in a recreational vehicle as part of his agreement with the team to manage the anxiety that comes with his fear of flying. But he did not attend practices on Sunday or Tuesday and skipped Monday’s home game against the Heat.

Morey had planned to discuss sending White to the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate along with fellow rookies Scott Machado and Donatas Motiejunas but has not seen him to have that conversation.

Sessions skipped
The Rockets have made arrangements for White to be treated by Dr. Aaron Fink of the Baylor College of Medicine, but White has not attended those sessions, according to the person with knowledge of the situation.

White indicated via Twitter on Wednesday that he has communicated with Fink but was under the impression Fink was merely offering to assist him and not part of any requirement. White said he had expressed his concerns to Fink but that the problem is between himself and the Rockets and is about “support” rather than anxiety.

On Tuesday, White issued a statement indicating his openness about his anxiety disorder led the Rockets to hold his condition against him.

“At this point, the Rockets are aware of my position and the reason for my absence, any other response is inaccurate. This is important to me, it is a health issue. I must advocate for my rights, it is a player-commodity league — the failure to meet my requests for support will end with me being unhealthy and that is not a consequence that I am willing to accept to play any sport.”

Morey has issued only a brief statement that said: “Royce is not available right now. We are committed to his long-term success, and we will continue to support him now and going forward.”

NBA contracts allow for players to be treated by doctors of their choosing if approved by the teams but require that players unable to play or practice because of medical conditions see doctors or therapists assigned by the team.

No trade in works
The Rockets intend to fine White every day he fails to report to practice or attend sessions with Fink, the person familiar with the situation said. On Wednesday, White did not attend the Rockets’ shootaround or their game against the New Orleans Hornets.

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said Tuesday there would be “internal repercussions” for White’s missing practices and games. Alexander also raised the possibility the Rockets might end up having wasted a pick on White, the 16th player taken in June’s draft.

The Rockets, however, have no plans to trade or release White, the person familiar with their thinking said.